Massaging device



6. DEYO I MASSAGING DEVICE Dec. 29, 1931.

FiledlJuly 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet III III II NVENTOR ATTORN EY s Sheds-Sheet: 2

Filed July 1 1. 1930 5*- INVENTO 7 ATTORNEY- Dec, 29, 1931. DEYO 1,838,094

' MASSAGING DEVICE Filed July 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 50 I l l 49 4a 47 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented files. 2 1931 Parser GEORGE DEYO, OF ELEABET'H, NEW JERSEY MASSAG-ING DEVICE Application filed July 11, 1930. Serial No. 467,185.

T he invention relates to a machine for effectively massaging feet.

For the most beneficial results, feet should be massaged with certain sliding and rotary movements, which heretofore, have required the manual services of an expert. Inasmuch as many patients require frequent foot massages, the constant necessity for expert manual services is inconvenient and expensive.

It is an object of this invention to provide amachine by means of which the hand movemcnts of an expert may be simulated in massaging feet.

A further object is the provision of a foot massaging machine having an automatic control which enables the machine to be used only when the patient is in a sitting position, or lying position or any position other than standing. A further object is to provide means for adjusting the foot massaging machine to accommodate feet of different sizes, and for regulating the massaging pressure.

These and other objects are attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings, constituting a material part of this disclosure and in which:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of the massaging machine.

Figure 2 represents a side view of the machine, partly in section, taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a plan View of the machine with the covers removed.

Figure 4 represents a'sectional view taken on line 4% of Figure 3.

Figure 5 represents a sectional View taken on line of Figure 3.

Figure 6 represents a sectional view taken on line 66 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the machine includes a casing 7, and a plurality of tapered rollers 8 upon which are placed the feet to be massaged.

Centrally located on the upper surface of casing 7 is a track 9, for guiding a sleeve 10, having a slot 11, through which projects a lockscrew 13, adapted to enter threaded recesses 12 in the track 9 to maintain the sleeve 10 in adjusted positions thereon.

Integral with the sleeve 10 are rests 14 for the heels of the feet, and the feet are main tained in engagement with the rollers 8 by gear 21, in mesh with a gear 22 fixed to shaft 23, having rotatably mounted thereon by means of a sleeve a gear 2% with an integral clutch member 25 engageable with a similar clutch member 26 slidably mounted on shaft Clutch member 26 is connected to and moves with a clutchmember 27, the latter being engageable with a clutch member 28 integral with a gear 29 fixed to a sleeve 29" rotatable on shaft '23.

Gear 24 meshes with a gear 30 fixed to an auxiliary shaft 31, having also fixed thereto a gear 32 in mesh with idler gear 27, the latter also meshing with gear 29.

Fixed to sleeve 29 is a bevel pinion 33 meshing with bevel gear 34 fixed to shaft 35. As will be seen, when clutch members 25 and 26 are in engagement, the bevel pinion 33 will rotate in the opposite direction to shaft 23, and when clutch members 27 and 28 are engaged the bevel pinion will rotate in the d rection of shaft 23.

The clutch members 26 and 27 are slidably connected to shaft 23 by means of a pin and slot, and shifted by a forked arm fixed to a shift rod 37, having at one end spaced collars 38 and 39, between which is positioned an arm 40 rotatably mounted on shaft 41 and integral with a plate 42, having a projection 43 in the path of lugs 44.- and 4:43 on the rear of bevel gear As shown in Figure 6, the projection 43 has been engaged by lug 44 to shift clutch members 27 and 28 into engagement. The bevel gear 34 will now rotate in the opposite till raised the the adiacent block to-resist further upward direction until lug 45 engages progection 43 to shift clutch members 25 an 2 en- 'L. ement.

The plate 42 is provided with a wedge shaped projection 46 in contact with the inclined surfaces of the arm 47 of a lever ivoted at 48, the other arm 49 of the lever ing constantly urged in one direction by a compression spring 50 mounted in a recess in the frame 9. By means of "this structure, the arm 47 constantly engages the wedgemember 46, to maintain the arm in either of two positions. Fixedto shaft 35 are a plurality of angularly spaced cams 51 en ageable with levers 52 and-57, disposed in ots 53 in the blocks f I17. It will be noted that the slots 53 are of ':varying lengths, the lengthsof the slots decreasing towards the center of the machinem 80 that the center roller will be raised a greater distance than the end rollers.

In each block 17 is a recess in which is positioned a tension spring 54, having one end suspended on pin 54' under frame 17', 25 and its opposite end resting on a pin 55 secured to a roller, said pin 55 ro'ecting into i a recess 56 of the adjacent b 00 17. (See ,Fi re 2.)

a block 17 and its associated roller 8 are pro ection 55 in recess 56 engages movement of projection 55, resulting in a rotation of the roller 8.

By means of this arrangement, not only is the roller caused to exert an upward pressure against the foot, but a rotary movement is also provided, thus simulatin the usual manual massaging movements 0 an expert. The last pa r of levers 57, at each end of the machine are pivoted to levers 58, rotatably mounted on shaft 41. A notched link 60 is connected to each pair of levers 58 (see Figure 5), and by means of the notches 61 in the link, the latter may engage the casing wall in two positions, so that the levers 58 may be moved to two sitions, to vary the leverage of the levers 57 By means of this arrangement, the extreme pairs of levers 57 at each end of the machine may be adjusted so that they are ineffective in the treatment of short feet. The link 60 is maintained in engagement with the wall of the casing b the pressure of a flat spring spring 62 attac ed to the rear end of lever 57.

motor through terminals 63 and 64 in casing 7,- (see Figure 3), the terminal 63 being directly connected to the motor, from WlllCh a conductor 65 leads to a variable resistance coil 66, engaged by a slidable spring contact member 67, the latter being connected to a rod 68, slidable in a tube 69, and engaging the wall thereof to make good electrical contact. From the tube 69, the conductor is carried 55 to a cam member to which is attached leg 74 is moved to an Electrical current is introduced to he contact 71 adapted to engage an ad-" ustable contact 72 directly connected by a wire 73 to terminal 64. Normally, when the machine is not in use, the spring contact 71 will not bein engagement with adjustable contact 72, however,

gages the cam 70 and contact 72 into en circuit through to t forces spring 71 and e motor.

70 when the supporting upright position, it enagement to complete the i Sup orting leg 74 is tubular and telescopes a rod 4, liel in adjustable positions therein by detent means (not shown). Leg 74 is piv: oted at 75 to the central frame 17 and when the machine is not in use, the leg is rotated in a clockwise direction, out-of-the-way position. The leg 74 is maintained in an upright position by. a bowed latch 76ci attached by means of a hinge to the undersi e of the cover of the machine, the

' spring 77 urging it downwardly against the legr74.

he levers 52 are pivoted on a block 78, the

latter bein fixed by pins 59 to shaft 41. Also, non-rotate ly mounted on shaft 41 is a collar 79 slidable on the shaft b means of a in 80 and a slot 81 in the s aft. The co ar 7'9 is provided with an arm 82, engaging an angularly all from plate 42.

e end of shaft 41 is threaded at 84, and is engaged by an internally threaded tube whic constantly abuts the collar 79 as the result of the pressure exerted on the-collar 79 by a compression spring '87 encircling shaft 41 between the collar 79 and a shoulder 88 on shaft 41. The tube 85 may be rotated by a knurled hand grip 86 positioned outside of easing 7.

By means of the above described structure the intensity of the massa ing action of the rollers ma be regulated by regulating the levera e o levers 52. If it is desired to moderate t e action of the rollers, shaft 41 is rotated clockwise slightly to move the block 78 in the same direction to shift the levers 52 away from the slots in the blocks 17.

The rotation of shaft 41 is accomplished by rotating tube 85 to press collar 79 inwardly, the arm 82 engages cam 83 to rotate plate 42. However, rotation of plate 42 is soon limited by the engagement of arm 40 with either collar 38 or 39. Since further rotation of plate 42 has beenarrested, the camming action between arm 82 and cam 83, causes a rotative pressure on arm 82 to cause collar 79 to rotate shaft 41, and incidentally shift the fulcrums of levers 52;

In operation, when it is desired to use the machine, the leg 74 is moved to an upright position to close the circuit through the electric motor, and to support the machine in the proper position. The feet are then placed on the rollers 8 and held there by the elastic straps 15 and 16, the patient being in disposed cam 83 projecting later- (see Figure 2) to an I a sittin position, due to the inclination of the mac ine result-ing from the upright position of le 74.

The spee of the motor-may be regulated by the variable resistance 66, and the rollers 8- first rise and fall progressively from the front of the machine to the rear. As the extreme rear roller is completing its movements, the rotation of shaft is reversed,- as explained i gressively from the rear to the front.

above, and-the rollers now rise and fall pro- This alternationof movements is continued throughout the massaging operation, each roller also having a rotary movement as it rises, thus simulating the circular movements of the hand of an expert massager.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have provided a machine for effectively massaging feet, without necessitating the services of an expert.

The foot massaging machine is so constructed to fit any size foot, and may be used either for one foot or both feet; and it is intended for use by the layman and the rofessional man. The machine is designe to ease the sufferings due from weak feet, and to give relief to tired and aching feet.

This purpose is accomplished by the progressive movement of the rollers, which provide a knuckle or stimulating massage stroke upon the plantar muscles of the foot by the downward stroke of the roller from the toe to the heel, the rollers fitting into the arch of the foot and increasing the pressure up to the highest point in the arch, and hence decreasing in pressure as the rollers rise near the eel. r

A palliative or soothing stroke is accomplished by the reversed action of the rollers,

the rollers on their way back from-the heel to the toe not risin in height as much as when on their way rom the toe to the heel.

The movement of the rollers breaks up ad- "hesions stiffness in the lantar muscles.

0 I n I quickens the circulation, replaces stagnated blood or slowed up circulation with pure oxy genated blood, and helps greatly in building up the tonicity of the muscles by creating a source of better. nourishment to the parts, which in turn results in muscle strength.

Due to the force of the gravitation, blood in the body, when it has of necessity been made to work in a position other thanlyiii'g',

is slowed up in thepedal extremities. A stimulating massage immediately followedwith a palliative or soothing massage stroke, such as is accomplished-in the massage-mawhile in a horizontal position. It will bereadily seen that theelectrical circuit through the motor will be closed only when the leg 7 4 is in an upright position, and the machine is in an inclined one. Consequently, a person in a standing position, will be unable to use the machine, as he cannot very well stand on it while it is inclined and maintain his equilibrium.

Therefore, in order to receive the benefit of the machine, he must be of necessity, in a position other than standing such as sitting or lying down in a relaxed position.

The purpose of the reversing of the motion of the machine is to stimulate and then to soothe. The forward stroke from toe to heel of the rollers offers stimulation by increased pressure from the rollers, at the same time breaking up the stiffness.

The return stroke is a soothing stroke, and the forward motion may be favorably compared with the palm surface of the hand stroking the plantar surface of the foot, during "a manual massage by an expert. Also, the partial rotation of each rollercauses some friction which is also a massage benefit.

The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive and illustrative only, and not as restrictive or limitative of the invention, of which obviously an embodiment may be constructed including modifications without departing from the general scope herein indicated and denoted in the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i1. A foot massaging machine, comprising a frame, a plurality of blocks slidable vertically on the frame, a ta ered roller carried by each block, said bloc 5 having slots of varying lengths, levers positioned in the slot, and means or progressively rotating the levers to raise the blocks.

2. A foot massaging machine, comprising a plurality of blocks slidable vertically, a roller carried by each block, said blocks having slots of varying lengths, levers positioned in the slots, a shaft, a plurality of angularly spaced cams fixed to the shaft, said cams engaging the levers, and means for rotating the shaft.

3. A foot massaging machine, comprising a plurality of blocks, a roller carried by each block, levers engaging said blocks, a shaft, a pluralityof cams fixed to the shaft and engage-able with the levers, means for rotating the shaft, and means ,for shifting the ful erums of the levers.

4-. foot massaging machine, comprising a plurality of blocks, a roller carried by each liloclr, levers engaging the blocks to raise and lower the latter, a shaft, a plurality of cams fixed to the shaft and engageable with the levers, means for rotating the shaft, and means for reversing the rotation of the shaft at predetermined intervals.

5. In a foot massaging machine, a plurality of levers, a shaft, a plurality of cams fixed to the shaft and engaging the lovers, means for rotating the shaft, and means for periodically reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft.

6. In a foot massaging machine, a slidahle block having a recess, a roller rotatably mounted in the block, a tension spring positioned in the recess and having one end connected to the roller and its other end attached to a fixed support. means for raising the hlock. and means engaged by an end of the spring when the block is raised to cause a partial rotation of the roller.

7. In a massaging machine, a frame, an electr cal circuit having a resilient switch therein, a support pivoted to the frame, and means associated with the support and switch to close said circuit when the support is moved to an upright position.

8. In a foot massaging machine, a pluralit v of rollers, a plurality of levers, means connecting the levers and rollers, and means to raise the levers progressively.

9. in a foot massaging machine, a pluralit v of levers, a shaft, a plurality of cams fixed to the shaft and engaging said levers and means for rotating the shaft.

10. In a foot massaging machine, an electrical circuit having a switch normally open when the machine is in a horizontal position, a support for raising the machine to an inclined position. and means associated with said support to close the switch when the machine is raised to an inclined position.

11. In a foot massaging machine, a plurality of levers, a block to which said levers are pivoted, a shaft on which the block is fixed, and means for angularly adjusting the position of the shaft whereby the position of the fulcrums of the levers may be changed.

12. In a foot massaging machine, a plurality of levers, a shaft having angularly spaced cams engageable with the levers, means for rotating the shaft, and a plurality of rollers associated with the levers, said rollcrs being progressively raised as the shaft rotates.

13. In a massaging machine, an electrical circuit, a pivoted support, and means associated with the support to close the electric circuit when the support is in an upright position so that the machine may be used only in an inclined position.

June, 1930.

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